A significant legal battle has emerged after a woman gave birth to a child who is not biologically related to her or her partner, following an alleged embryo mix-up at a fertility clinic nearly six years ago. During a virtual court hearing, attorney Mara Hatfield, representing Tiffany Score, asserted that it is “more likely than not” that the error occurred in the clinic’s laboratory associated with IVF Life Inc. in Longwood, Florida.
In March 2020, Score underwent a procedure at the clinic to extract her embryos, which were then fertilized using sperm from her partner, Steven Mills. These embryos were subsequently cryogenically frozen. Hatfield indicated that multiple patients were utilizing the clinic’s services at that time, suggesting a possible mix-up of embryos. “Our client’s embryos probably got swapped with embryos of other patients,” she explained to Circuit Court Judge Margaret Schreiber.
The situation grew more complex when Hatfield noted that the mix-up might also have occurred on April 20, 2025, when an embryo was implanted into Score. Another woman has since come forward, indicating she was also present at the clinic on that date for an embryo implantation. It remains unclear if this woman gave birth, but she is willing to undergo genetic testing to clarify the situation.
The couple’s ordeal came to light after Score delivered a healthy girl in December 2025, only to discover that the child did not share their racial background. Genetic testing confirmed that the baby was not their biological child. This revelation prompted Score and Mills to file a lawsuit against Dr. Milton McNichol, who leads the clinic, seeking answers and accountability.
While the couple has embraced their unexpected daughter, they expressed anxiety about reaching out to her biological parents, fearing potential custody claims. Their legal team is advocating for the clinic to disclose details regarding any potential embryo mix-ups and to cover the costs of genetic testing for all children conceived through the clinic in the past five years. They are also seeking a complete inventory of their stored embryos.
During the virtual hearing, attorneys for the couple accused the clinic of delaying the provision of critical information. Hatfield emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the emotional bonds between the couple and their daughter strengthen daily, complicating any potential future claims from biological parents. “Time is of the essence,” she stated.
In response, representatives for IVF Life and McNichol argued that they are not stalling but are grappling with the complexities of patient confidentiality as dictated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The attorneys highlighted that revealing any details about patients, including whether they were implanted with embryos, could infringe upon privacy rights.
Judge Schreiber sided with the couple’s legal team, urging the clinic to expedite the process while maintaining confidentiality protocols. She underscored the court’s concern regarding the possibility of another child being affected by the mix-up. “I recognize it’s difficult when we are dealing with confidentiality issues,” she remarked, “but it is a great concern to the court that there is another potential child out there.”
To facilitate this, the judge ordered weekly status hearings and required the clinic to certify that all patients who utilized their services from March 2020 to April 2025 were informed and given the option to waive confidentiality for testing purposes. The clinic’s attorneys acknowledged the sensitive nature of infertility issues, noting that many individuals prefer to keep their experiences private.
Despite these challenges, Judge Schreiber emphasized the necessity of finding answers swiftly. “I’m also not going to use it as a shield to prevent getting information that is desperately needed in this case,” she affirmed, indicating that the court will continue to seek resolutions that respect patient privacy while addressing the pressing concerns of the couple.
